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How do you deal with overwhelming terror of the future?

7 replies

FavouriteFightingFrenchman · 09/06/2020 07:50

I am a natural worrier but also incredibly grateful for the amazing life I have - a kind partner, 2 lovely little ones (after IVF) a good job and enough money.

Despite this I just feel completely overwhelmed by the thought of the future. I constantly think about the children's futures and how on earth I am going to parent them through so many issues I struggle to understand (politics, gender issues, porn, social media etc). I feel like I'm making so many mistakes with them and that the future for young people is incredibly bleak. I want so much better for them (and all young people) than I feel is on offer just now. I think about when they are adults and can't sleep for worry that they'll be attacked or unhappy or something...

In terms of my own future, when I think about my DH I picture him with another (younger) woman and me on my own. He's never given me a moment's worry in reality, he's lovely, but I feel like it's inevitable he will leave as I get older.

WTF is happening to me? I want to enjoy my life and my children's childhood but it's totally overwhelming. I feel like all my happiest, carefree days have been already and all I have ahead is misery. It's ridiculous to feel this way as my life is so blessed (apologies Grin)

Aaargh!

OP posts:
Tulipsinmyvase · 09/06/2020 08:11

I take beta blockers for anxiety. My anxiety stems from worries about the future. My DH has a life limiting illness. We have 3 young children, a nice home, a business. Worrying about the future is a drain, but the medication helps me cope better.

It sounds like a chat with your GP might help. There’s lots of alternative therapies.

Please enjoy the now. Don’t worry about yesterday or tomorrow - none of these you can change. Life for today x

FavouriteFightingFrenchman · 09/06/2020 09:17

@Tulipsinmyvase thanks for the reply. Sorry to hear you are the same and about your DH's illness.

OP posts:
allthewaterinthetap · 09/06/2020 09:22

May I ask - how old are the children? This sounds a lot like OCD or postnatal depression.

rosiethehen · 09/06/2020 09:32

Yes. We're an autism family and I worry constantly about how my sons are going to be able to navigate the world and get jobs and housing. I worry in case I become ill and have to be looked after by other people because I know it will be hell and I'd be better off dead than being at risk of abuse and neglect again.

FavouriteFightingFrenchman · 09/06/2020 10:16

My children are 2 and 4. I think it's possibly connected to how extremely innocent they are at this age? It's beautiful to see but it hammers home daily how much they have to learn about the world, and for some reason I can only focus on the negative aspects of that rather than the happy things they will discover. That focus on the negative drives my anxiety and it spirals. Change of mindset required.

OP posts:
Haggisfish · 09/06/2020 10:19

I look for the good and keep a gratitude journal. And take low dose medication for anxiety after I dreamed isis were kidnapping me and dd!

CalendulaAndRoses · 09/06/2020 18:07

FFF highly recommend some mindfulness training or reading and practising. I have much the same inclination as you and it regularly saves me from allowing myself to go too far down the unecessary dark paths of rumination

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